Accelerated epigenetic aging in alcohol dependence

• Published in: Journal of psychiatric research 2024-05, Vol.173, p.175-182
• Main Authors: Shirai, Toshiyuki, Okazaki, Satoshi, Otsuka, Ikuo, Miyachi, Masao, Tanifuji, Takaki, Shindo, Ryota, Okada, Shohei, Minami, Haruka, Horai, Tadasu, Mouri, Kentaro, Hishimoto, Akitoyo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aging; Alcohol dependence; DNA methylation; Epigenetic clock
• ISSN: 0022-3956; 1879-1379
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.03.025

Alcohol dependence poses a global health threat associated with aging and reduced life expectancy. Recently, aging research through deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation has gained attention. New epigenetic clocks have been developed; however, no study has investigated GrimAge components, GrimAge2 components and DunedinPACE in patients with alcohol dependence. In this study, we aimed to perform epigenetic clock analysis to evaluate epigenetic age acceleration and DNA methylation-based age-predictive components in patients with alcohol dependence and controls. We utilized publicly available DNA methylation data (GSE98876) for our analysis. Additionally, we compared the values of the same items before and after the patients underwent a treatment program. The dataset comprised 23 controls and 24 patients. We observed that DunedinPACE accelerated more in patients with alcohol dependence. AgeAccelGrim and AgeAccelGrim2 decelerated more after the treatment program than before, and beta-2-microglobulin and Cystatin C decreased after the treatment program than before. These findings are crucial as they affect the cranial nerve area, potentially contributing to cognitive dysfunction and psychiatric symptoms in patients with alcohol dependence. •Alcohol dependence threatens the health of people worldwide, linking with aging and life expectancy.•New epigenetic clocks have been developed over time.•This study is the first to incorporate GrimAge components, GrimAge2 components and DunedinPACE for alcohol dependence.•This study showed accelerated DunedinPACE in patients with alcohol dependence than controls.•Also, smaller prediction values of beta-2-microglobulin and Cystatin C after a treatment program than before were showed.•Findings of this study may link with cognitive dysfunction and psychiatric symptoms in patients with alcohol dependence.